Stefanski Dental and Munson Healthcare are once again offering a unique Halloween candy buy-back event to support Operation Gratitude.

Stefanski Dental

The public is invited to bring unopened candy to Stefanski Dental (76 Airport Road, Frankfort) from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1. Stefanski Dental will pay $1 per pound of candy turned in.

“This is a great way to promote good dental health while supporting the efforts of Operation Gratitude,” says Dr. Julie Stefanski. “Operation Gratitude seeks to lift the spirits of the active duty, veteran and first responder communities.” The unopened candy will be included in care packages addressed to individual soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines deployed overseas, to their children left behind and to veterans, new recruits, first responders, wounded warriors and their caregivers.

“We were looking for a way to get unhealthy Halloween candy out of the hands and mouths of children and this is a great way to help local kids as well as members of the military, veterans and first responders,” Dr. Stefanski adds. “Kids who bring their candy in on November 1 will be paid $1 per pound of candy and they will know the candy that is turned in will brighten the day of someone who is serving our country.”

Last year’s goal was to collect 100 pounds of candy and Stefanski Dental was able to collect just over 294 pounds. They are hoping to surpass that amount this year.

Stefanski Dental is a full-service family dental practice that serves the Benzie and Manistee County areas and specializes in family dental care. For more information about the Halloween candy buy back, please call 231.399.6000.


Munson Healthcare is again partnering with the Northern Michigan Diabetes Initiative to promote healthy eating habits while giving back to troops this Halloween.

Children and their parents are invited to bring a portion of their sweet stash, either candy collected this Halloween or leftover treats that were not handed out, to select Munson Healthcare locations from November 1–3. Please see the list below for specific times and locations.

Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital
Cadillac Area YMCA
9845 Campus Drive
Cadillac
6 a.m.–9 p.m.

Mackinaw Trail Pediatrics
7917 Mackinaw Trail
Cadillac
8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital
Primary Care
1400 E. Parkdale Ave.
Manistee
8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Family Care
1391 E. Parkdale Ave.
Manistee
8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Health Connection – Lower Level
1293 E. Parkdale Ave.
Manistee
8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Munson Medical Center
Diabetes Education Office
Munson Professional Building
1221 Sixth St., Suite 210
Traverse City
9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Munson Community Health Library
Munson Community Health Center
550 Munson Ave., Suite 100
Traverse City
9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Munson Medical Center endocrinologist Jill Vollbrecht, M.D., advises that moderation is key to the trick or treat fun.

“Certainly, we don’t wish to encourage daily consumption of candy. However, having occasional sweet treats makes those treats special. It is important to set the tone by limiting those treats to a reasonable number so they can be enjoyed in a reasonably healthy fashion,” she says. “Encouraging kids to pick 10–12 pieces of their Halloween stash and donate the rest not only encourages moderation, but instills a spirit of generosity toward others and gratitude toward our troops serving overseas.”

The candy will be donated to local veterans groups to be forwarded to service members overseas and to local veterans. Youngsters who donate at Munson facilities will have their names entered into a drawing for a scooter.

For questions or more information, call Munson Healthcare at 231.935.9255.


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